Why, for a southern state (or even a midatlantic state) is maryland so much more democratic...

I think because it is highly black, has a large city, and is an extension of DC.

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MD has 3 very different regions that are very different politically from each other. The "sourthren" part of MD are the rural areas outside of the city of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Montgomery County and Price Gorges County. This area is actually quite Republican, and the two GOP congressman who are from MD represent these areas. The DC suburbs are more or less like the upper middle class suburbs of Boston or NYC, with economically well to do but socially liberal voters, on the other hand, Baltimore is almost like a rust belt city with voters on the other end of the economic and political scale(Still Democrats, but because of economic-labor issues).

Why, for a southern state (or even a midatlantic state) is maryland so much more democratic...

I think because it is highly black, has a large city, and is an extension of DC.

Marylands Black population is 28% of the total, no more so than any other southern state. Maryland boasts a large, highly educated, and highly paid white middle class in Montgomery County as well, the third wealthiest county in the country (as of 200 census). Rural counties are VERY conservative though.

funnily enough, those rural counties are also the most tolerant and open minded. westminister and hagerstown are very conservative but the people there are some of the nicest in the state.

You are quite right, I'm a liberal living in Westminster outnumbered more than 2 to 1, a very religious area, not real diverse demographically, but yes very tolerent and an awesome place to live and raise my kids!

Places like Howard and Anne Arundel, while almost split with Dem/Republican are --- not very "tolerant" places and the people aren't nice at all. Cecil, like the western part of the state, is more conservative but man, the people are great.

Bush carried AA county 51.93 to Gores 44.67, Ehrlich crushed in AA county as well. Howard is more left leaning, Gore took 51.92 to 44.17 but again Ehrlich took Howard in 2002. Howards what you may call a "Swing" county!